Rocktrospectiva: The Magnificent "Sound Affects" Turns 45

Released on 28 November 1980 "Sound Affects" was the 5th., studio album by English rock band the Jam. It was the only Jam album to be co-produced by the band themselves, and contains the only album track co-written by the entire band, "Music for the Last Couple". The cover art is a pastiche of the artwork used on various Sound Effects records produced by the BBC during the 1970s.The album spawned two singles "Start!" & "That's Entertainment". 

Jam frontman Paul Weller has opined that Sound Affects is the Jam's best album. Unhappy with the slicker approach of Setting Sons, the Jam decided to go back to basics, using the direct, economic playing of All Mod Cons and "Going Underground," the simply brilliant single which preceded Sound Affects by a few months. Thematically, though, Paul Weller explored a more indirect path, leaving behind (for the most part) the story-song narratives in favor of more abstract dealings in spirituality and perception.

Musically, Weller drew upon Revolver-era Beatles as a primary source the bassline on "Start," which comes directly from "Taxman," being the most obvious occurrence, incorporating the occasional odd sound and echoed vocal, which implied psychedelia without succumbing to its excesses. From beginning to end, the songs are pure, clever, infectious pop -- probably their catchiest -- with "That's Entertainment" and the should-have-been-a-single "Man in the Corner Shop" standing out. "Pretty Green" includes a funk bass-line and rhythm with melodic guitar breaks and psychedelic sound effects.

Sound Affects was the Jam's magnus opera. From beginning to end, it was their most consistent and inventive album, filled as it is with compelling, mesmerizing songs. Here the Jam developped into a legitimate post-punk outfit, taking cues from contemporaries such as Wire, Joy Division and Gang of Four. The guitar and rhythm section sound were more jagged and menacing, while the production was near perfect, filled with surprising subtleties. Mixed with this fresh sounding development of their sound is the Jam's already familiar love for 60's music. 

Songs like "That's Entertainment" and "Monday" paint brilliantly vivid pictures of everyday working class life through a psychedelic lens. "Man in the Corner Shop" delivered biting social commentary to a gorgeous jangle-guitar tune. On the more post-punk side of things, there is "Music for the Last Couple" and "Scrape Away," where brilliantly unconventional production, jagged guitar licks and existential lyrics collide to awesome effect. The lyrics were up to the standard one would expect from Weller, which is to say they are completely brilliant. The ability of Weller as a young man to dissect the true nature of the world was always astounding, arguably on this album more than ever before. There is the usually scathing social commentary combined with a thoroughly existential, philosophical tone. Sound Affects is one of the greatest albums of all time, and arguably the best album The Jam ever made.

Sound Affects Track List: 

 

1. Pretty Green

2. Monday

3. But I'm Different Now

4. Set The House Ablaze

5. Start!

6. That's Entertainment

7. Dream Time 

8. Man In The Corner Shop

9. Music For The Last Couple

10. Boy About Town

11. Scrape Away

Books: Paul Weller "Dancing Through The Fire" The Authorised Oral History

 

The groundbreaking oral history on one of the most legendary musicians of all time: Paul Weller. 

 

Across musical history, certain artists have transcended their craft to become cultural icons, leaving an indelible mark on the world of sound and style. Paul Weller, the legendary British musician, singer and songwriter, stands among the select few whose influence spans generations. His enduring popularity, traversing the explosive energy of The Jam to the sophisticated sounds of The Style Council and a prolific solo career spanning over thirty years, underscores the timeless appeal of his work. Weller also holds a unique position in music history: he shares the rare distinction with Lennon and McCartney as one of the few artists to achieve Number 1 albums in five consecutive decades.

Dancing Through the Fire explores the fascinating narrative of Paul Weller's musical career, weaving together never-before-told stories, intimate insights and perspectives from the man himself and those who have been integral to his remarkable journey.

With unique access to his inner circle - including family, friends, bandmates, producers, and long-time collaborators - award-winning broadcaster and journalist Dan Jennings weaves together over 200 hours of exclusive conversations, allowing exclusive access to the man behind the music, including his unparalleled drive, creative struggles and personal triumphs that have shaped his iconic career and legacy.

Endlessly candid, insightful and definitive in its approach, Dancing Through the Fire captures the essence of Weller's musical evolution through the voices of those who know him best.

 

Title: Paul Weller "Dancing Through The Fire" The Authorised Oral History

Language: English

Author: Dan Jennings

Publisher: Constable

Pages: 983 

In Memoriam: The Jam Drummer "Rick Buckler" Dies At 69

The iconic Rick Buckler, former drummer in The Jam, has died at the age of 69, his ex-bandmates have confirmed on social media. The Jam rose to fame in the punk and new wave era of the late 1970s and early 1980s, also are credited with inspiring a revival in mod fashion and music.

The band were led by singer and guitarist Paul Weller, and bass player Bruce Foxton both confirmed the death of his band mate feeling in shock and devastated.

In a statement, his family described him as a "loving husband, father and grandfather" who was "devoted to many" and will be "greatly missed". The statement added that he had "passed away peacefully on Monday evening in Woking after a short illness with family by his side".

The Jam had 18 consecutive UK top 40 singles from their debut hit in 1977 to their break-up in December 1982. Their four number one hits included "Going Underground" and of course the iconical "A Town Called Malice", including their iconical record "All Mod Cons."

Buckler and Foxton later played together in a successor band, From the Jam, while Weller continued his career with the Style Council and then as a solo artist.

Buckler had recently been forced to cancel a spoken-word tour of UK venues because of health problems. Weller said on X: "I'm shocked and saddened by Rick's passing," "I'm thinking back to us all rehearsing in my bedroom in Stanley Road, Woking. To all the pubs and clubs we played at as kids, to eventually making a record. What a journey!"

Foxton said: "I was shocked and devastated to hear the very sad news today. Rick was a good guy and a great drummer whose innovative drum patterns helped shape our songs."I'm glad we had the chance to work together as much as we did. My thoughts are with Leslie and his family at this very difficult time."

The lead singer of ska group The Bodysnatchers, which gained popularity around the same time as The Jam, also paid tribute.

The cause of Buckler's death has not yet been confirmed.

Rocktrospectiva: El Exitoso "The Gift" Cumple 40 Años

 

Lanzado el 12 de Marzo de 1982, "The Gift" fue el sexto y último álbum de estudio de la banda Inglesa, The Jam, el disco fue todo un éxito en cuanto a crítica y desempeño comercial, igualando a su predecesor de 1980 "Sound Affects", el disco recogía los temas grabados durante 1981 y 1982 y que fueron la culminación de un sonido más suave que marcó la diferencia en los últimos discos de la banda.  

 

El sonido del álbum se mueve hacía una simpleza musical que se apreciaba en los discos "In The City" y "This Is The Modern World", junto a tonalidades más melódica como en "All Mod Cons", "Setting Sons" y "Sound Affects, por supuesto, reafirmando el amor del alma norteña de parte de Weller, además de pinceladas sonoras que iban con una líneas de bajo más funk, efectos wah wah y por supuesto, muchas influencias jazz que ayudarían a plasmar el sonido de The Style Council, pero también hay secciones de viento y eso se aprecía mucho en el treack "Precious" y "Trans-Global Express", la tonalidad funk en "So Is The Sun",  y el alma pop en "Town Called Malice" sobre un lamento de los estereotipos de la clase trabajadora durante la era de Margaret Thatcher, así como la potente "State Of The Nation", una de las preferidas hasta la fecha de Weller,  el otro single, la social "Just Who Is The 5 O'Clock Hero" sobre los esfuerzos de la sociedad que trabaja de 9 a 5 para mantener el engranaje activo, o la contra parte en "Mr. Clean".

Pese a ser como el zenith de la banda, esa creatividad y tendencias musicales animaron a Weller a separarse de Bruce Foxton y Rick Buckler quienes eran más fieles al sonido mod/rock revival de la banda, como decíamos, Weller se iría por un lado más sophistipop con The Style Council, además de sentirse ya un poco sin sentido gracias a los temas que estaban haciendo solo para cumplir un contrato, por lo que nueve meses después del lanzamiento, la banda rompío, pese a que el disco llegó al No. 1 en el Reino Unido.

 

The Gift Track List:

 

1. Happy Together

2. Ghosts

3. Precious

4. Just Who Is The 5 O'Clock Hero?

5. Trans-Global Express

6.  Running On The Spot

7. Circur

8. The Planner's Dream Goes Wrong

9. Carnation

10. Town Called Malice

11. The Gift

Rocktrospectiva: 30 Años De All Mod Cons

Se cumplen 30 años del lanzamiento de la obra maestra de The Jam que hoy con todo gusto recordaremos. The Jam fueron fichados por la Polydor en Febrero de 1977 pero doce meses después estaban agotados, su segundo LP “The Modern World” había sido un desastre e incluso se llego a pensar que Paul Weller como compositor estaba muerto, su productor escucho sus nuevas grabaciones y sin tapujos les dijo que la tiraran a la basura, pero el espacio y tiempo que eso les dio más la presión que tenían soportar obligó a Weller a dar todo de sí. Finalmente el resultado fue “All Mod Cons”, inspirado e influenciado en su composición a Ray Davies y The Kinks, y con un fuerte dosis nacionalismo y referencias británicas.

El primer fruto fue un single de dos caras A, la primera fue la versión del tema de los Kinks “David Watts”, y el otro un tema nuevo “A Bomb In Wardour Street”, luego le siguió “Down In The Tube Station At Midnight”, pasando de quejas vociferantes a minioperas inspiradas por “A Quick One While He`s Away”. La violencia sin sentido en un club punk, ser atacado de regreso a casa, aquí el compositor y el que escuchaba eran el centro de atención. En total fueron doce tracks de tres minutos entregados con un envoltorio moderno y refrescante “entra, hazlo, y sal” nada de dudas, nada de adornos, nada de arreglos y nada de sarcasmo, Weller creo personajes y les dio cuerpo y respiración y después se puso a observar como el mundo moderno se alzaba sobre ellos, por ejemplo la estrella pop en lo más alto y luego como cae estrepitosamente ya no más fotografías ni adulaciones, ya no más cocaína que inhalar ahora en vez de ir en taxi vamos a pie cantaba en “To Be Someone (Didn`t We Have A Nice Time)”, el zángano de suburbio con aspiraciones “Mr. Clean”, un soñador al estilo Walter Mitty en “Billy Hunt” el pobre don nadie ahora ahogado en el consumismo “In The Croad”, incluso se animo con una balada de amor que tanto le incomodaba a Weller por aquel entonces “English Rose”.

Como bonita anécdota recuerdo exactamente a finales de 1997, cuando tuve la oportunidad de conocer y charlar con un ingles llamado John o Tom la cosa es que andaba de visita por Guatemala y coincidimos con el durante una celebración navideña que tuvo lugar en mi colonia, según me contó fue guitarrista y tenían una banda que anduvo haciendo de las suyas en Irlanda y Londres, ahí dice que conoció a los U2 cuando comenzaban sus andadas en la epoca en que nadie daba un centavo por ellos según dijo había buena relación entre su banda y U2, y de como el decidio dejar la banda y emprender una carrera de pastor porque el ritmo de vida y el ambiente de drogas no le gusto y de como casi todos los miembros de U2 habían aceptado a Dios con la excepción de Adam Clayton, hablamos de mucha música y le dije acerca de mi devoción por Morrissey, The Smiths, Pet Shop Boys y Nirvana, sobre el britpop y de las nuevas bandas de aquel entonces como Suede, Pulp, Oasis, Blur, Cast, Ocean Colour Scene, Manic Street Preachers, Mansun y cosas por el estilo, luego me pregunto por The Jam que si los conocía y le dije que si que me gustaba Paul Weller pero que no habia tenido mucho la oportunidad de escucharlos a profundidad y me dijo sorprendido no sabia que The Jam fueran famosos en Guatemala, a lo cual yo respondí que no es que fueran famosos sino que yo era de los pocos locos y desencajados que los conocíamos por estas tierras centroamericanas, igual discutimos sobre quien era mejor si Paul Weller o Morrissey y al final quedamos en empate y al despedirse me recomendó que escuchara este disco que finalmente llego a sus 30 años mientras que de esa mitica platica ya 10 años.

Grandes The Jam